SEATTLE — A pair of backup quarterbacks will lead their offenses onto the field Sunday afternoon when the Seattle Seahawks host the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West matchup with mounting postseason implications.
The Seahawks enter the Week 9 contest at Lumen Field with a 4-4 record, aiming to halt a slide that has seen the defending Super Bowl champions lose three of their past four games. Seattle is turning to reserve quarterback Drew Lock after starting passer Sam Darnold was ruled out because of a quadriceps injury sustained in a 34-17 loss to the Chicago Bears, according to Bleacher Report.
Arizona, standing at 3-5 under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur, arrives in Seattle looking to end a 10-game losing streak against the Seahawks. The Cardinals have won two of their past three contests, securing road victories against the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys, and will start quarterback Gardner Minshew II after moving on from Jacoby Brissett.
Quarterback changes and extensive injuries
Darnold’s injury is expected to keep him off the field beyond Sunday. ESPN reported that Darnold faces the danger of missing next week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders as well, potentially giving him three full weeks to rest before a Week 12 divisional game against the San Francisco 49ers following Seattle’s upcoming bye week. Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Darnold is viewed as week-to-week and will not go on injured reserve.
Lock steps in having already guided Seattle to victory against Arizona earlier this season, leading a 31-7 road rout in Week 2 when Darnold was sidelined with a glute ailment. Over his appearances this year, Lock has completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns, according to Seahawks Wire. Macdonald noted that Lock has been managing an elbow injury of his own, with rookie Jalen Milroe serving as the primary backup on the roster.
The Seahawks are also without several key starters, as SB Nation reported that defensive lineman Leonard Williams, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, offensive lineman Charles Cross, receiver Rashid Shaheed, and guard Quenton Nelson have all been ruled out.
Arizona faces its own substantial injury toll. Running back Jeremiyah Love is on injured reserve, leaving the rushing duties primarily to Tyler Allgeier, who gained a season-best 147 yards against Dallas. The Cardinals are also playing without multiple injured wideouts, including Michael Wilson, who has broken ribs, along with Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Brooks, both of whom are on injured reserve.
High stakes in the NFC West
Despite recent offensive changes, the Cardinals are seeking redemption after September’s blowout loss at home. Arizona’s offense found a spark with Minshew during a comeback win in Dallas, leaning heavily on Allgeier’s explosive ground performance.
For Seattle, the contest carries immediate urgency. The Seahawks are tied with the Rams for second place in the NFC West behind the 6-1 49ers. According to NFL Next Gen Stats cited by Bleacher Report, a victory on Sunday would lift Seattle’s playoff chances to 54 percent, whereas a defeat would drop those odds to 29 percent, leaving the team below .500.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX, with Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma calling the action. What remains to be seen is whether Lock’s familiarity with the offense can stabilize the Seahawks or if Minshew and the Cardinals can snap a multi-year divisional skid on the road.
